By both land and water routes.
Explanation
Pittsburgh, historically a central hub for the steel industry in the United States, requires efficient logistics for moving heavy industrial products. The transportation of finished steel is governed by the economic necessity of minimizing costs for heavy, bulk commodities, utilizing a multimodal network.
Option Analysis:
- Exclusively by the Great Lakes waterway. is Incorrect: While the Great Lakes waterway is a critical route for shipping bulk materials, it is not the exclusive method. Waterways have geographical limitations and are subject to seasonal freezing, necessitating alternative modes.
- Exclusively by rail. is Incorrect: Railways are essential for carrying heavy loads over long distances on land, but relying exclusively on rail would ignore the cost advantages of water transport available to the region.
- By both land and water routes. is Correct: The finished steel is transported to the market using a combination of land and water routes. The Great Lakes and the Ohio-Mississippi river systems provide cost-effective access to domestic and international ports. Simultaneously, an extensive network of railways and roadways distributes steel to inland manufacturing centers where water transport is not feasible.
- By air freight due to high value. is Incorrect: Air freight is reserved for high-value, low-volume, or time-sensitive goods. Steel is a high-weight, high-volume commodity with a relatively low value-to-weight ratio, making air transport economically unviable.
Key Takeaway:
The transportation of finished steel from industrial centers like Pittsburgh relies on a complementary system of inland waterways (for low-cost bulk movement) and railways (for extensive land coverage).